New puppy, no name as of yet

Okay, it's 9:30 p.m., and I'm super tired. No joke, this has been a rough day. This really should not be the case, since the actual physical activity was minimal. We did ... finally! ... see The Dark Knight this morning. I knew it was a long movie, but when you enter the theater at 9:30 a.m., and the movie's over at noon, you really kinda go, "Damn. That was a long movie." By the way, I totally dug it. Yep, definitely a bit darker in tone than any of the other Batman movies, but that made it better, and more interesting. Heath Ledger was awesome, though I could have done without the tongue, lip-licking thing. And Christian Bale ... well, he's Christian Bale. The more I chew on it, the more I like it.
But of course, after that, we wandered over to way-out Glendale/Sun City to look at a puppy. But, you all know me, I don't simply just look at a puppy. And because Brian's been wanting a new pup for so long, and I have finally allowed it, tonight, we are the happy parents of a new, white, female Lhasa Apso. It took her a while to rest and get her energy up, but the little thing is cruising around the living room now like she owns the place. We've set her up in a little "apartment" of her own for the nights and when we're all home, and I think we'll put her in the kitchen or guest bathroom during the day when Syd and I are out (all of this is for the time being. No doubt, once she gets the hang of everything, she'll expect the same freedoms as Oliver.). But right now, she's doing her whining thing, though that's certainly to be expected on her first night away from everything she's ever known. She's eaten quite a bit though, and pooped twice, so at least she's doing the proper dog thing. Plus, we've had several pee incidents so far. It's all good. That's to be expected with a puppy.
You may be wondering why I haven't told you her name yet. Well, that's simply because we haven't picked one yet. I'll let you know once we settle on one.

It needs 21 hours for a full charge?!

I got my DustBuster this morning. It's red and white, and promises to suck up any number of food items left in places by my daughter. According to the box, this fantastic machine should be able to pick up every bit of saltine cracker, crushed goldfish, dried strawberry, and crumbled graham cracker in between my sofa cushions and all over my carpet. Yay! But since I know you've been so wondering about the where-to-plug-it-in situation, I'll tell you right now: There actually is an extra plug in the laundry room/area! Sweet! I've hung up my new DustBuster above my washer, and it's charging, right now, as I write this. Awesome. Next time that kid goes crunchy with a cracker, I'll be ready for it.
Oh yeah, and I'm so excited to tell you that Brian and I already have our tickets for The Dark Knight tomorrow morning! We'll be sitting in air-conditioned comfort at the 9:15 a.m. show, and then will be trying someplace new for lunch. So it's kind of like our anniversary, but about two weeks late ... and backwards ... and in the middle of the day.

Where, oh where, to plug it in?

I've only got 49 minutes until this day is done, and it's imperative that I have my August avatar up on August 1, for some reason. I don't know. Anyway, I've been watching a lot of Gladiator over the last couple weeks (you know how HBO works), and found this particular outfit quite fetching because of it. No, I wouldn't rather be sporting something like this than my more comfortable uniform of jeans and a t-shirt in everyday life. Still, wouldn't it be kinda neat to be so feminine all the time? And to watch Russell Crowe wander around in a short skirt?
Randoms: 1.) Pamela and I have decided that yes, the Red Sox will be better off without Manny Ramirez. Really, we got his best years of production out of him, two World Series rings (something he won't get with the Dodgers, certainly), and he'll only go downhill from here. Have at him, L.A. He'll miss the Nation, that's for sure. He just doesn't know it yet. And who needs someone so clearly unhappy in Boston anyway? And don't you love that he went 2-4 in his first game, while the new kid, Bay, helped the Red Sox win their game in the 12th? 2.) Once again, Brett Favre has irritated me. Dude, take the money. Go home. Leave the team alone. 3.) Disneyland has raised their park admission prices. 4.) I need to get a Dustbuster. Having witnessed what a toddler with two saltine crackers can do to a sofa this afternoon, it's become a priority. It's on the list for tomorrow, along with the grocery store and pet supply store for doggy food.
Well, now that's a good smattering of stuff, huh?

Beedle the Bard? Like Shakespeare's the Bard?

I love how quickly commerce happens sometimes. As an example, today, word was released the J.K. Rowling will be releasing a book version of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of wizard tales referenced in the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Not but a scant few hours later, there's an e-mail in my inbox trumpeting the book's availability and giving me the opportunity to pre-order the book ... before they run out of them, I'm sure. But of course, I understand the ridiculousness of ordering a book that has no official release date, and probably hasn't even been finished yet. But you know me and the Harry Potter. So, you guessed it, I'm among the first to have pre-ordered the book, and Barnes & Noble has already collected my $8, plus shipping, and now I'm stuck breathlessly awaiting a release date that will probably be some time in late 2009. Grr. ... ... But yay! A new Rowling book!

I stand corrected! The book will be available in early December ... this year! Yay!

Jumping dogs look cool

Well, I'm absolutely exhausted, but I'll admit to not having as rough a day as Brian. He was stuck in Dallas for a bit more than six hours today due to weather delays and American Airlines canceling his flight. He just got on his plane an hour ago. It's now 10:20 p.m. (As an aside, Mom thinks American may have canceled the flight just because it may not have been full, because American is doing sketchy things like that lately. I dig her conspiracy theories. Scary thought: What if that's true?) Anyway, does anyone actually know what the weather was like in Dallas today? I've not caught it on the news yet.
Apparently, there was an earthquake yesterday. I hear that it was the strongest in Southern California since the Northridge quake in 1994. Funny story: Mom and I didn't feel it. Nope, we were at the mall, cruising through a couple fun stores, killing some time before heading over to The Cheesecake factory for lunch. I got calls from Daddy and Brian, both wanting to know if we felt anything, and I had to say, "No. We were shopping." I love it how there's no excuse or reasoning to that. Those nifty new-fangled malls are well constructed.

Dragonfly on branch

So, we're out in California, and the trip out went just fine! In fact, it was the best drive out we've had! Sydney was awesome, and just chilled in the backseat the whole time, and didn't raise her voice once. Rock on. Oliver's such a good traveler, too.

Really, we've been pretty busy since I got back, and with the kid still sleeping in the office/nursery, I haven't been able to hit the computer at all. And, in a twist of fate that makes me irritated with everyone else's security precautions, all the wireless Internets near here are password-protected. Damn. I so love being the pirate and using other people's wireless.

Well, Sydney's getting pissy about hanging out in the crub while I'm typing away here, so I'll be closing down and finished up her morning routine so we can get started on our day.

Departure time: About 6:30 a.m.

Well, I'm yawning, so that must mean that I had a good and productive day today, right? I think I've got all my bases covered for the drive out to Cali tomorrow morning. Sydney's packed, I'm packed, and all the sundries are packed. All that's left is Oliver's toys, the toiletries, and to put everything in the car. I've got to drop Brian at the airport butt-ass early, so I'll definitely be up to be out of the house on time. Yeah, we're leaving here at 5 a.m. That's early. However, he's heading out to Connecticut to hang out with Dave for a few days, and they'll have a good time. All kinds of boy/male bonding will ensue, I'm sure.
Me? Well, Sydney, Oliver and I will be out in Cali hanging out with Mom. Yay us! Lisa flew out yesterday to stay a couple days and then to drive back with us tomorrow. We've had so much fun! We had dinner with Katy last night; rocked Gymboree this morning; and ran ridiculous errands this afternoon. It's just awesome having her to hang out with the last couple days!
Anyway, I'm out. Catch you tomorrow!

Do the flowers make your leg itch?

Actually, I don't really have anything for you tonight. I've been sitting here with this computer for more than 20 minutes, and every topic I think is good enough ends up just being deleted before the thought is even complete. That says something very specific to me. It says that I shouldn't force it, and it's time to turn off the computer and go to sleep. I will do that.
This is not one of the shoes that I bought recently, but it's pretty cool, just the same. I couldn't walk in it, though. That heel is out of control.

I love a good intrigue in a show

I have now watched the first 10 episodes of Burn Notice, and I'll tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying this show. The lead is absolutely adorable; the female lead is totally fun, mainly because I remember her from The Three Musketeers; and the dialogue had me laugh out loud three times tonight. I love that in a television show! So, I've got one more DVD from season one to get through, and then I can tackle the season two episodes on my DVR. I won't be able to get to the fourth disc of season one until next week, but that's okay. I've got company and a trip that'll be so much better to occupy me over those days.

Seven years and counting

So we had a bit of an interesting anniversary. The plan was for a dinner at a new place and then The Dark Knight. Well, for such a simple plan, it sure went to hell quickly. First of all, the dinner ... was .... not so good. I had chicken enchiladas that were so spicy that I had to douse each bite with sour cream. Brian had crab enchiladas, which were too sweet, and not good enough for me to trade him plates. Okay, dinner's done. Then, on to the movie. A movie that was completely and utterly sold out for the three shows that we could have seen. Ugh. Then, we decided to check out a different theater. And that one was EMPTY! Yes, dudes, it was closed. ... And the movie was therefore not an option.
So I called Katy to see what she was up to. Well, her and Chris were playing in their kickball game, so Brian and I decided to crash the game and cheer for them. Yay! We stopped for some beer, and raced over to cheer on the team. Then we went with the team to their after-game bar and had some more drinks. Fun, fun, fun night!
For an anniversary night that went nothing close to plan, we had a fantastic time!

So when will we see The Dark Knight? Who knows. This weekend is not an option. So I suppose it'll be a couple weeks!

Yep, that's our Elvis

I'm trying really hard to stay away from any The Dark Knight stuff going on out there because Brian and I are going to go see it tomorrow night ... for our seventh wedding anniversary! Yikes! I can't believe it's been seven years since that awesomely amazing weekend, you know? I thought it was incredible how quickly the last 21 months have gone by with the kid, but wow, to think about seven whole years since that small, little intimate weekend in Vegas in July. (A special shout-out to Auntie Donna, who will be hanging out with the kid tomorrow night while Mommy and Daddy are out and about.) I even asked Brian if he was interested in checking out the video with me tonight. I got a resounding no for that, but really, I've been thinking about that video for a while now. Katy and I will sit and watch it together in the near future, but I think I'd really like to sit and check it out on my own first. It'll be weird, because I really haven't seen any part of it in a long, long time. Katy missed the wedding because of a swim meet, so watching it with her will be a trip. She doesn't know about any of the cheesiness, does she?
Wow. Seven years. Don't they go by in a blink...

Sony, 32-inch, HDTV; it's just awesome

Check it out, dudes!
It's my new TV, and its new home in the bedroom! I love it so much more than that old, huge monstrosity that I've been watching since it was moved here from the living room. Look! Notice how it doesn't weigh 1,000 pounds! See how it sits back, deftly avoiding little fingers! Peer at its height and suspension over the accompanying components! And please ignore the fact that it was set to Max & Ruby when I took this picture!
Well, besides that unfortunate programming gaffe, I am so excited to have a new visual obsession on my dresser. Rock on! Best Buy loves me today. It's so much fun shopping in that store when you buy something big. We had an actual reason to push around the flat cart this morning, not just for the baby seat in the front. And you know, when you're pushing a fat TV through the store towards the check-out, associates actually say thank you for visiting the store as you pass them. I like that! So much more respect ... um, outgoing, proactive respect ... then when you're just wandering through the shop and pick up a movie or something.
Just one thing though: that little box in the corner that pops up every time the audio goes from mono to mono to stereo is really irritating. Anyone know how I can get that to stop? It's nowhere in the book!

Perhaps I need a jump rope, too

Stream of consciousness, July 17:
I did 200 jumping jacks this afternoon, in my living room, with my dog and daughter standing by, both wondering what the hell their crazy mom was up to now. And I feel good about it, too. It's the most and best exercise I've had in a while, and it got me into a sweat, as well. I know, I know. I need to get my ass in the gym. Whatever.
Isn't it weird how moving a couple plants around in your house can make you feel better?
We finally installed the wall-mounted shelving unit in our bathroom, thereby keeping our extremely persistent and curious daughter out of our toiletries ... for the time being. I'm not stupid, I know that she'll out-think us with this one, too. But I won't have to worry about that until she's got another inch or two in height to work with...
Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I bought a new book at Target today. I got Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. It's another vampire novel that I read about in Entertainment Weekly, from which there is a new movie coming out soon. Anyway, the article on the author intrigued me, so for only $8.49, I now have another book on my to-be-read pile. I'm almost intrigued enough to read it before the others on my "Summer Reading List 2008." But here's the challenge, I will still read the others before the summer is over!
A special shout-out to Jeannine, who gave me the kick in the head I needed this week. Mwah!

I love books

I finished another book on my "Summer Reading List 2008" last night. Actually, it was very early this morning, if you want to get technical about it. I closed the cover on The Alibi Club at 12:45 a.m., and it was a satisfying read.
Now, I'm not sure which fresh spine to crack next: I've got another thriller, a romance, and a fictional vampire read that's been sitting in the pile for more than a year. I'll tell you though, my promise to not buy any other books until I've finished these is beginning to weigh on me something wicked. Seriously, we drove past a Barnes & Noble last week, and I swear, I felt a tug at my very soul to go in. But I didn't, because I made a deal with myself, my blog, and my peeps. You know what makes it even worse though, is that I've got a couple gift cards for Borders. And what's even worse than that, is that when I can't buy books for myself, I buy them for my kid. Her library has swelled lately, simply because I can't go too long without picking up some kind of reading material.
But as I write this, I'm thinking that maybe I could go out and get some new books. I wouldn't read them before the others are done, you know. So it's kind of like not getting them until the others have been read, right? That makes it okay to go out and get my fix, right? You'll still love me if I do, won't you? It won't take me long to finish off these last three, will it? I don't really have to wait, do I?

UPDATE: Okay, frickin' creepy! I finished writing this post, closed out of my account, then checked my e-mail and found a 30 percent off Borders coupon in my e-mail inbox! How wild is that?! Now, I get it! It's fate, destiny or a call from my angels! I simply must go buy more books this week!

Would I be a pirate? Um, yes!

I finally got the cable box issue taken care of this morning! Hurray! Here's the deal: Cox likes to have signal strength in the boxes that registers from -10 to 10 (whatever that means). The box in my bedroom was showing a robust -16. Ah, so that would be the problem. The technician increased the signal strength into the box, and assures me that it should work much better now. I'll admit to it being a tad bit faster, but we'll see how consistent it is over the next few weeks. The tech also installed an amplifier on the cable box in the living room, as that signal wasn't as strong as he could get it, either.
Katy and I had a yummy dinner at The Cheesecake Factory tonight, and brought back the most delicious dessert. It's actually a combination I haven't had in a long time: fresh strawberry cheesecake with hot fudge for dipping. See, this is one of the reasons why I love Katy so much; she doesn't hesitate to dig in to the desserts with me, and even said while considering where we should have dinner tonight, "We haven't had a really good dessert in a while."
I received a whole new questionnaire from Jeannine and Andrea tonight. (I also had a tremendously wonderful chat with Andy late this afternoon. Yay!) It was titled, "50 Odd Things About Me." I love that the first question asked if I liked bleu cheese (no). But you all know how I love those Q&A e-mails, so I jumped right into it. No, I won't paste it here for you all; it's way too long. You'll have to request it via e-mail. (Insert winking smiley face here.)
I think I'm going to grow out my bangs.